Neville Longbottom- The Boy Who Lived

Halloween

Dedicated to my mate Tom, just coz he's awesome!

Chapter 10- Halloween

The whole common room was waiting in anticipation for Harry to come back. He had been in McGonnagol's office for ages. Hermione had informed me of what happened after I had blacked out, Madame Pomfrey had me patched up in a matter of seconds. We were all secretly hoped that Harry won't be expelled, but we also knew it was inevitable.

The door swung open, the whole rooms conversations ceased, Harry and an older Gryffindor boy, Oliver Wood strolled in. Harry was laughing and Oliver was chuckling. Harry said bye, and walked over to the fireplace, where Hermione, Ron and I were waiting. He froze, looking at our shocked faces. “What?” He asked, “Is there something on my face?” Me and Ron looked at each other, then burst out laughing, whilst Harry rubbed furiously on his nose.

“No-- Not on-- Your face--” I said between breaths.

“Then what is it?” Hermione, being the only one of us not rolling on the floor laughing decided to reply.

“Why haven't you been expelled?” She asked, sounding slightly rude. Harry stopped rubbing his nose, and we stopped laughing.

“Expelled? Why would I be expelled?”

“You remember the whole, 'If anyone is on their brooms, they will be expelled faster than you can say Quidditch'?” Hermione replied rather sarcastically. Harry just grinned.

“Oh, that...” He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I- I kinda got onto the Quidditch team!” Ron and I jumped up.

“Nice one mate!” Ron called as I said, “Go Harry!”

“But, keep it a secret guys, I am Wood's secret weapon apparently.” Both Ron and I grinned at him, but it wasn't until I went to turn around and smile at Hermione, that I realised she was gone. Thinking to myself that she must have gone to bed, I headed up to the dormitory with Harry and Ron.

Hermione was very quiet over breakfast. I don't think Ron has forgiven her about her rudeness towards Harry. Many times I had tried to start a conversation with her, but all I got in reply was one word answers. I gave up and started conversing with Harry about his and Ron's favourite Quidditch teams.

“For me...” Harry paused for effect, “Got to be, Falmouth Falcons.”

“No way!” Ron exclaimed. “They suck!” I laughed at Ron's reaction.

“What about you Ron?” I ask.

“Chudley Canons.” He stated proudly. I snort with laughter.

“C'mon Ron, seriously?! They're worse than the Falcons!” I laughed. Harry laughed along with me.

“Well... They're not brilliant in the leagues, but I don't support a team because they are high in the league, unlike most of the Tornado's fans.” Ron replied, as I went tomato red. “What? You surely don't support the Tutshill Tornados?!”

“I have supported them since I was 6. That was before they started winning the leagues.” I stated indignantly. Harry was just laughing at mine and Ron's exchange. Ron was about to send a reply, when the post owls arrived. We watched as Malfoy received his usual supply of sweets from home. What we didn't expect was what a brown school owl brought to the Gryffindor table. A large broom looking package was heading straight to Harry, who was sitting opposite to me. He held out his arms, as the broom dropped from the owls legs. Grabbing the note attached to the top, he read it quietly aloud. Even Hermione was subtly listening in.

“Mr. Potter, Please do not open this at the table. It is important that a big deal isn't made out of this. This isn't a normal occurrence. Inside contains your Nimbus 2000 (“Wow!” Said Ron) Good luck in your first match Mr. Potter, Professor A. Dumbledore and Professor M. McGonnagol.” All our eyes met, and, in unison, we stood and left the Great Hall. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Malfoy stand and also walk towards the door. This could only mean one thing.